AITakeover Tracker
24%low risk

Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining

Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.

Green Enhanced SkillsHigher risk than 16% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 24/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 16% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Information Ordering5%

Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-6.6pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Pluralsightbeginner

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path

by Pluralsight

30 hours$29/mo4.5Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Monitoring

Estimated Impact

-5.2pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-4pt risk+$4K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Less than High School37%
High School Diploma63%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None10%
Up to 1 month14%
1-3 months14%
6 months - 1 year16%
1-2 years17%
2-4 years10%
4-6 years17%
Over 10 years2%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

Up to 1 month15%
1-3 months43%
3-6 months6%
6 months - 1 year10%
1-2 years25%
2-4 years2%

How AI Impacts Each Task

20 tasks analyzed

Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 6%

Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 5%

Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 5%

Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 6%

Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.

Risk: 21.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 8%

Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 4%

Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 5%

Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.

Risk: 48.7%AI: 54.17ObservedTime: 5%

Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 4%

Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 5%

Apply green technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 5%

Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Close and seal wells no longer in use.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 4%

Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 4%

Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 5%

Monitor sound wave generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 3%

Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 3%

Maintain and perform safety inspections on rigs, equipment, and other tools.

Risk: 9.0%AI: 0EstimatedTime: 5%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 32.0%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

DependabilityInitiativeLeadershipAttention to DetailPersistenceSelf ControlAchievement/EffortAdaptability/FlexibilityCooperationStress ToleranceIndependenceConcern for Others

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$57,980

per year

Mean Wage

$61,530

per year

Employment

44K

workers

Wage Range

$40,010 - $93,820

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$40,010Median: $57,980$93,820
Career Planning

Explore other career paths

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Alternate Career Paths

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28%
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Higher risk than 31% of other occupations

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Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

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Higher risk than 78% of other occupations

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42%
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Median salary: $48,630

Higher risk than 86% of other occupations

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators

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Median salary: $71,510

Higher risk than 87% of other occupations

Sales Managers

25%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 20% of other occupations

Chief Executives

26%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 23% of other occupations

General and Operations Managers

28%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 29% of other occupations

Marketing Managers

30%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 38% of other occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

31%
Medium Risk

Higher risk than 45% of other occupations

Financial Managers

Subscribed — always updated

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining professionals should diversify beyond them.

  • Mathematics

    High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Information Ordering

    Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Mathematics

    Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

  • Memorization

    Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility

    Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Equipment Maintenance

    Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

  • Critical Thinking

    Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Active Learning

    Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Writing

    Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

-9.0

overall change

Checking for existing plan...